Friday, November 1, 2013

What took me so long?


Have you ever come up with a decorating idea that makes you ask yourself the question "What took me so long?"


Steve found this cabinet in my parents' garage nearly 40 years ago and it is one of my favorite pieces.


It was in KC's bedroom when we first moved to our little cottage, in the garage for many years and most recently in the living room wearing a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Old White.


All through the summer, I looked for a cabinet for the entry way and finally it hit me that I didn't have to buy anything - I had the perfect piece already.


I wanted to store extra dishes, place mats, tablecloths and napkins in one place and the cabinet is the perfect solution.


I defer to Steve for artwork and I love his choice of me with my 'kids' at Hanalei Bay, Kauai from our Christmas vacation last year.


A few of my mother's vintage tablecloths and some colorful Moda pieces are showcased in a favorite metal basket on top of the cabinet.


A galvanized tin vignette is dressed up with baby's breath.


I haven't decided which color of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint I will use to paint the inside of the cabinet, but paint it I will because I might want to be leave the cabinet open.


The closest ASCP dealer is a 40 minute drive and I can't get there until next week, but I couldn't wait to see how the cabinet looks filled.


Boxes, buckets and baskets were drafted to corral like items so I can easily find what I need.


Grouping my flatware together helped to see deficits - I obviously need yellow handled flatware.


A metal basket sits on the floor holding favorite quilts.


A card I made with a quilted heart decorates the Antropologie shelf that  holds our keys and Lulu's leash, etc.


Some items were removed from the cupboard like my grandmother's Planters Peanuts container that ended up in the dining room.


My alphabet blocks from the Sundance catalogue ended up on the mantel.


The Dutch door is open to a sunny day November day and I am still asking myself why it took me so long to think of moving the cabinet to the entry.

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Visit these fun parties

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The Dedicated House - Anything Blue Friday

42 comments:

  1. I have to admit that I do that alot. The only thing I regret is that sometimes I will get rid of something and than realize I could have used it somewhere else and wished I kept it.

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  2. Carol, your decision to move the cabinet to the entry is an excellent one. What a terrific spot for added storage, and the attractive way you've arranged things makes a beautiful statement. Yes, you need some yellow flatware! '-)
    Enjoy your lovely November day. We are having one too! ~ Sarah

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  3. Carol, I think all of us did the very same thing. Get an idea and think well why didn't I think of that before. Or see something in a decorator book and all of a sudden the light goes on - why I have that and why don't I do the same thing. I love how you have re-arranged your items in the chest. Yes, I agree you do need some yellow.
    Have a great fall weekend.
    Mary

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  4. I love both those blues. Duck Egg is my favorite, though I love the Louis Blue is pretty too.

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  5. For your cabinet, I like the Louis Blue ~ it is lighter, and will better show off your wares...

    We've all had the head-slapping moments of "Why didn't I..." Just human nature, me thinks!

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  6. Your cabinet is the perfect size for that spot. It will be so pretty all painted inside. Can't wait to see it.

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  7. Oh I love the painting your husband did of you and your children. He really is a talented artist. I am a Duck Egg Blue fan. Using both will be nice. I wish I lived closer to someone that carried the paint as well. I love seeing your home.

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  8. That's a great cabinet, Carol. Love when pieces can be used in so many different places.
    Mary Alice

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  9. Carol,
    I love this cabinet. The drawers on the bottom make it even more special. I love the picture that Steve did with you and the kids in it over the cabinet. It is perfect. I am shocked you are not painting the inside of the cabinet red or yellow!!!! The blue will be pretty.
    Kris

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  10. Oh wow, I can stare at that piece all day! LOL Love how it all looks and more so inside! Great piece in a great location. :-)

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  11. I love it all!! You and your husband are so talented! Great job!

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  12. Carol, The cabinet is just perfect. I also love all your husband's great art pieces. Your Mom's table cloths were just the best. Do you think of her when you use them? Blessings for a fun weekend. xoxo,Susie

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  13. It's a wonderful old cabinet, Carol, and it fits your things perfectly. I have a thing for old cabinets and I'd love to have one in every room!

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  14. Hi Carol, It looks lovely and you have such a touch with arranging the inside. Love that flat ware. Everything about your home makes me smile. If I could afford to start over, I do think that I would copy your color scheme. Your style along with your husband's art . . . well, it's magic :) Cheerful, delightful, amazing magic!

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  15. Oh, I wish I had a piece like that one! Either shade of blue will be fantastic.
    Brenda

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  16. What a fabulous cabinet! I think you will love it with the blue inside! Can't wait to see more!

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  17. I'm laughing because as I'm moving around my house I have been asking myself the same thing!! Don't you just love when a piece is right under your nose!!! That piece is gorgeous Carol! And I vote the darker blue...but both are beautiful and your display rocks!!! Great work friend!! Oh and Steve's painting of your family in the beach is stunning! The sky is like no other....beautiful!!!!

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  18. Carol, the cabinet is perfect and it looks great in there! I love how you have filled it. Your colorful silverware is wonderful. I want to start picking some cute ones up. I hear you about what took me so long? I am in the process of painting my bed white and loving it so far. Hopefully will finish tomorrow. I recently painted an old armoire Duck Egg Blue for my basement guest bedroom. Love how it turned out too! Either color will look fabulous inside. Your hubbies artwork is always amazing.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  19. Great cabinet!! Looks like you can hold a lot of goodies in it. Love it painted white!!
    hugs, Cindy

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  20. I love when things like that happen. It is like when two things get next to each other in the closet and you discover you have an outfit you didn't even know you had!

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  21. Carol,

    Firstly, I would keep those cabinet doors permanently open! There are so many pretty things to look at. Steve's painting is beautiful and looks great above it. Looking at the collage of your collections, I would go with Louis Blue, just seems to be more of a match in tones and brightness. Have fun and can't wait to see it!

    Poppy

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  22. What a great job you have done, it look great.

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  23. ha ha because you are human ! :) It looks great :)

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  24. Your cabinet is beautiful! I really enjoyed peeking inside. I vote for Louise Blue. It's fresher and brighter. If you are waxing it the Duck Egg Blue gets even grayer with just Clear Wax. But either would be great. I just stumbled into your blog this morning and it is wonderful. Thank you!

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  25. It is PERFECT. I know exactly what you mean about something hitting you long after! I've been in my home for 18 years and I'm barely tackling the bedroom upstairs!

    Carol, that paint application to that cupboard is perfect. JUST PERFECT - and then the little heart? YES!

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  26. Hi Carol, Oh I love this cabinet and the Old White is gorgeous on it. The inside painted either blue will be awesome with your treasures. Love how you display your collections. It is amazing to me how moving a furniture piece to another spot in the home can make such a difference. I have many a "what took me so long moments"
    Have a great weekend.
    Hugs

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  27. Carol, thank you for visiting my blog A Joyful Cottage. I'm glad you stopped by, for it led me to your lovely blog. I'm enamored with your cottage by the sea. I can't think of a more perfect life. Just love what you've done with your home; all the cheerful colors, your eye for vignettes. Your decision to put that wonderful cabinet in the entry was a gone one. I've spent about an hour on your blog, and read the article about your home and lifestyle in Ventana. Very interesting. It seems we have several things in common, one of which is we're both married to professional artists. Your hubby's work is wonderful. Isn't it fun, and a blessing, to have original art throughout our homes? I'm following your blog, Carol. I got so many ideas in just the short time I was here. Blessings to you and Steve. ~ Nancy

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  28. You have found the perfect piece for your entry.way. I love both colours you chose for the inside and I can't wait to see how it'll look with blue inside.

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  29. Precious Carol,

    Thank you for coming by my post! And the feeling is mutual. I come away from your blog with that "OH MY" feeling as well, with the California sunlight of memory in my heart. Have a great Sunday! Anita

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  30. looks perfect for that spot...and yes, you do need some flatwares with yellow handles. The inside is going to look really beautiful with the blue paint

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  31. I also am working on a post on something I found while shopping the house. So economical !!!

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  32. A prime example of why shopping the house... is always a good idea!
    Pat

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  33. Don't you just love it when that happens? That cabinet is perfect for the job. I can't wait to see what color you paint the inside. Your decor always looks so nice and always makes me smile! Such a happy home! You are right....you do need some yellow handled flatware, and it will look so nice with the other flatware. I always look forward to seeing what you are up to! Your home is one of my favorites in blogland...:) Have a lovely Sunday...blessings, Vicky
    Life On Willie Mae Lane

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  34. Practical and PRETTY...love it! As always, I LOVE your use of color. So very "happy" :)

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  35. The cabinet looks great in the hallway. Love those tablecloths from your mother! I'm thinking a mix of the two blues might be nice. Also when I see the contents of the cabinet, it makes me think of Annie's Greek Blue. You might want to give that a look.

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  36. No. 1 - I love ALL of your collectibles and especially the painting of you in Hawaii; #2 - what a great heirloom to pass down to the children. #3 - aren't cabinets THE best for storing literally everything?! Great post.

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  37. Oh I think the painting of you and the 'kids' in hawaii is precious. How wonderful to have talent in the family! I like that you are using this cabinet china/linen storage. I have been reorganizing my cabinets to hold more of the good stuff and less of the things I don't really need. There is all kinds of space now to add to my collection of dishes and tablecloths. I am sure your cabinet will look awesome painted on the inside.

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  38. Carol,
    What a perfect solution...your cabinet in the entry way! I vote for Louis Blue. It is much brighter...will highlight your things, make it easier to see what you are looking for, goes with your brighter colors, and is almost the perfect blue I love!

    Happy weekend...

    Judith

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  39. It looks like that cabinet really came in handy! I love it white. The inside will look great painted either color, although I'm partial to the Duck Egg myself. : ) I always make sure I check the garage when I'm at an estate sale because I've been finding lots of furniture that people stick in there; tools get stored on top of it and that's where it winds up being tagged.

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  40. That's a great cabinet! Doesn't it feel good to not have to go our and purchase something when you already have it! Love the old tablecloths!!

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  41. I think so many of us do that a lot...then suddenly a light bulb goes off and we wonder why it took us so long to see what was smack in front of us all along. You definitely should keep those doors open. Such pretty things and you have such a way with displaying them. I like the Louis Blue, but either one will work nicely.

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  42. It seems like this cabinet was made to keep all your table linens and cutlery, how perfect.
    Steve's choice of painting is also perfect, it compliments the whole vignette so well.

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